VM UNDERGROUND goes behind the scenes with solo artist Javelyn!

So it Begins!

VMU: Hey how are you?

J: Great.. Lots of stuff poppin' out here on the Javelyn train.

VMU: Where are you from and who are you currently working with?

J: From California - originally No. Cal, but been in So. Cal since high school.  I'm currently working with a few hot producers, including notable house producers DJ Paul E and Claudio Collino and hiphop producer Michael Blue.

VMU: How many releases have you put out and who produced?

J: Two full-length CDs plus a bunch of singles, lately.  I've worked with probably over ten producers on the trax.. makes it more fun ;)

VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if comps what programs)

J: Mostly digital, some analog... but digital is sooo much easier and faster and gives the luxury of singing full throttle on the lead tracks without having to cut and paste each time... (plus it helps to be able to nail it the first few times around).  Some of the stuff on the first CD was analog, but even that producer has switched to Pro Tools .. pretty standard with almost everyone nowadays.

VMU: How did you get into music?

J: I had a very musical family - I grew up hearing classical piano almost every day from one of my brothers or my mom rehearsing for church.. so I wanted to play piano as well, and I sang in the kid's choir at age 5.

VMU: Do you prefer live or studio recording?

J: I like studio recording because there is a certain magic to it all its own.  Live is okay, but with a live audience, it's much more about them than the recording... although that has a sort of its own magic... But I do love all of the toys and control you have in a studio...

VMU: How's the local music scene in your home town?

J: Growing - it didn't use to be so good.. but L.A. is FINALLY catching the indie scene more like the rest of the planet.  My event, Java With Javelyn Indie Music Nite, is attracting some of that and helping build its piece of it.

VMU: What do you express in your lyrics?

J: Hope most of all, plus a sense of one's own responsibility - One of my pet peeves is the victim mentality, when one stays in it too long... (like I used to)... and it can lead to despair for anybody unless you know that it only takes one person to start a kewl rippling effect on society for good... AND I'm sick of the over the top obnoxious anger going around which only leads to pointing fingers at everyone but self... so, I try and put myself in the mix once in awhile to make it more personal... plus I'm a softy romantic for love which can last (my parents have been together forever with four kids)

"You gotta be willing to work hard, don't complain, just keep crafting your talent and the company you keep." - Javelyn

VMU: How do you feel about other artists expressing their beliefs in music? (Religious or political)

J: It's a free country - just allow me to do the same ;)

VMU: Who are your musical influences?

J: Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Annie Lennox, Anything old-school funky style, Dave Matthews Band

VMU: Any tours in the works?

J: Next year

VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? (USA and overseas)

J: Getting more humble, which is good - it's nice that the playing field is getting a bit more level with all of the alternative ways to distribute music and garner fans - the monopoly isn't so monopoly anymore - they now really need the artists and new visionaries to refocus, which is good.

VMU: Any deals in the works?

J: Yes.  Can't talk about it right now.

VMU: New recordings in the works?

J: Yup - some crazy new stuff with hiphop producer, Michael Blue- keep checking back to javelyn.net - announcements shortly.

VMU: Any advise to other indie Artists?

J: As a wise performer once said - it's 99% perspiration mixed with 1% inspiration - You gotta be willing to work hard, don't complain, just keep crafting your talent and the company you keep - in time the cream always rises to the top if you don't give up.

VMU: Who produces all your videos?

J: Different directors - In fact, I'm in the middle of working with two new directors for my upcoming "Stay" and "Love For Eternity" videos - keep checking back on news about those, as one is going to be following the indie music scene in LA - very exciting times...

VMU: Was casting for your videos hard?

J: Nope - I used to act a lot so I am in touch with an active acting/good hearted community out here (plus it helps to live in LA - land of working actors)... and I've been lucky to have worked with great talent and attitudes have been a part of each unique video (I've done four already)

VMU: Why do you do what you do in music?

J: I have a passion to write/perform, and when I feel a bit fried or overworked, the fans are what bring me back to why I do what I do.

VMU: Thank you so much for your time!! Any last words?

J: Thanks so much for your contributions to our indie music community - If anyone is ever in LA, look me up.  I'm almost always playing and hosting at the Java With Javelyn Indie Music Nites 1st and 3rd Fridays (www.javawithjavelyn.com) - it's a blast and we're building a small refuge of artists in P2P LA where we are given a bit of respect and hope :)

VM UNDERGROUND
www.v-m-u.com

Sept 30 2005